The undisputed “Band of 2021”, The Courettes, never disappoint. In the run up to their next Scottish dates in June, they have filled a gap in between albums with this essential 10” vinyl, and CD, of outtakes and b-sides from last years outstanding Back in Mono album.
As usual with this vital husband and wife duo, the artwork is the first thing to draw you in, the impeccable retro styling of the sleeve giving a sure indication of what you are going to hear when the needle hits the groove. I’m also drawn to the fitting addition of ”fabulous” to their name on the cover, I find it hard to find enough superlatives to use when I’m describing this band and their music, fabulous will do for starters.
As if I wasn’t excited enough about witnessing the dynamic duo of Flavia and Martin once again, this time on the wonderful McChuills stage (get in quick folks before they start selling out stadiums…), this little 8 track treat arrives and whets my appetite even more. Enough to even curtail my disappointment about the postponement of His Lordship this Friday at the very same venue.
Sometimes when bands release albums of outtakes and b-sides you wish they hadn’t bothered. They either bring nothing to the already released versions or are enough to tarnish a high quality back catalogue – sometime unreleased songs are unreleased for a reason… Not so this small but perfectly formed collection of 60s girl group wall of sound infused garage rock, this companion release just adds more suave class and elegant cool to last years album.
The mini-album kicks off in style with a luxurious remixed/revamped version of The Boy I Love from their debut album Here are The Courettes, from the b-side of R.I.N.G.O. New song Daydream, from the Back in Mono sessions, moves more into ballad territory, with the lyric ”leave me all alone, please don’t wake me up” reflecting my sentiments when I’m listening to this bands effervescent music. Killer Eyes backed up their single release of Misfits and Freaks and ticks all the right boxes down to the ”doo wop” harmony. While Last Dance With You sounds exactly as you’d want it to with a title like that, an uplifting wall of sound but tinged with a sense of longing and underlying sadness.
The tables are turned on Only Happy When You’re Gone, no last dance for the subject of these lyrics, with a hint of Baby I Love You in the melody. If you were lucky enough to get hold of the joint vinyl 7” release with The Jackets earlier this year, you’ll already be familiar with the nonchalant groove of So What, if you weren’t, then I also recommend you also check out The Jackets if you don’t already know them.
The last brace of songs are two newbies, the first of which, Talking About My Baby, has Martin sharing the vocal duties with Flavia, with a gloriously climactic ending, before they sign off with a growl and a kiss. And, leaving you desparate for more when it ends, Tough Like That rounds off proceedings with a mighty thunderous rhythm and a hard as nails vocal from Flavia.
If you already love The Courettes, this glorious collection will cement that love, if you are new to them and this is your first exposure… firstly where the hell were you last year when they were EVERYWHERE, but leaving that aside, listen to this record, fall in love with the band and their music, go buy their entire back catalogue then get along to one of the dates on their upcoming tour. McChuills will be rocking on the 10th of June!
The Courettes – website
Damaged Goods – website
Back in Mono review
Live Review
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